Road To Final 8: Early look 2013 CIS Men’s National championships

The 2013 CIS Men’s Basketball Final 8 Championship is pretty much set, the only thing remaining to find out is who will be the AUS Champion, the wild card and the final seedings.

We strong believe the wild card will go to the runner-up of the AUS, thus completing the “Final 8” teams.

The Carleton Ravens will have the top seed when they are announced late Sunday. Below is a list of all the teams that have qualified.

1. Carleton Ravens – (OUA Champions)
As expected the Ravens have secured the top seed in the 2013 CIS Men’s Basketball National Championship and are riding a 22-game winning streak. Who they will play is still yet to be determined, the most likely opponent would be the Victoria Vikes. If this does happen consider it the passing of the torch, The Ravens and the Vikes are tied for the most national basketball championships with eight.

Cape Breton Capers – (AUS)
Like many we believe that regardless of the outcome of the 2013 AUS Championships that both teams will advance, not matter what scenario, even if they do go down in the finals of the Atlantic conference, the Capers would likely earn the wildcard and the same can be said for the Acadia Axemen. The Capers only loss in the regular season came at the hands of the Acadia so a lot to be determined.

Mcgill Redmen – (RSEQ Champions)
Guess who’s coming back to town? Former Gee-Gees head coach David Deaveiro has managed to turn the Redmen into a Final 8 team in just three years. Mcgill rallied from a huge 15-point first-half deficit to crush the hearts of Bishop Gaiters fans and advance to their first national championship in 1979.

UBC Thunderbirds – (CanWest)
Could this FINALLY be the year for the Thunderbirds. It feels like we have been saying that for the last 10 years. The Thunderbirds return to Ottawa and will be looking to earn their third CIS Men’s Basketball championship.

Victoria Vikes – (CanWest)
The Vikes return to the big dance and based on their play this season anything can happen. Well balanced team with strong guards and good size upfront. Craig Beaucamp is familiar with the nations capital surroundings and you can expect his team to compete even if they get the Ravens in the opening round.

Acadia Axemen – (AUS)
All the pieces are in place for the Axemen to be considered a serious threat regardless of their seeding. They are healthy, playing good defense and are as deep as anybody in the country. A showdown with the Capers awaits, another win will most certainly silence any talk of an 8th seed.

Lakehead Thunderwolves -(OUA At Large)
You have to give it to the Thunderwolves for getting back to Final 8. We knew they would rebound after one the nations toughest schedules. The boys from Thunderbay are not done yet and have all the tools to upset whoever they face in the opening round.

Ottawa Gee-Gees – (OUA Runner-Up)
We knew they would be good. The Gee-Gees have had strong recruiting classes the past few years and the results are starting to pay off. It will be really interesting to see where the Gee-Gees get ranked, they have played the defending champions and #1 seed Ravens tight on all three occasions including, arguably the best game of the year, in a triple-overtime thriller to closeout the regular season.